NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State volleyball co-head coaches Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman earned Coach of the Year honors as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association released its’ 2012 All-Louisiana college volleyball team on Saturday.

In addition to the Hernesman’s award, Caiti O’Connell was named Freshman of the Year and Stacey DiFrancesco and Keelie Arneson were named to the first and second team, respectively.

The Hernesmans led the Lady Demons (20-13 overall, 12-6 Southland Conference) to a record-breaking 2012 campaign, registering NSU’s first winning season since 1987. The 20 overall victories were the most in the program’s Division I history.

NSU finished tied for third in the SLC, the highest of any NSU team.

O’Connell played in 32 of 33 matches, starting 28. She was second on the team in kills with 337 and registered 20 double-figure kill performances. The Friendswood, Texas native finished seventh in the SLC in kills (3.02/set) and was named Southland Conference Player of the Week on Oct. 22.

O’Connell was also named an LSWA Honorable Mention.

DiFrancesco started in 29 matches for NSU. She tallied a team-high 385 kills and 14 double-doubles. The sophomore finished fourth in the SLC in kills (3.39/set) and aces (0.38/set).

She entered NSU’s career-kills ledger at No. 7 with 809 total kills. DiFrancesco reached double-figures in kills 25 times and digs 17 times.

Arneson broke the NSU single-season digs record for the second consecutive year, digging up 618 attacks. She finished second in the SLC in digs at 5.00 per set. The libero played and started in all 33 matches.

She recorded double-figures in all but two matches, including two 30-plus dig performances. The sophomore was named Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions (9/10, 9/24).

The Lady Demons return to the court in the spring for a series of exhibition matches.

2012 All-Louisiana Volleyball

First Team

Stacey DiFrancesco, Northwestern State

Courtney Donald, Southeastern Louisiana

Desiree Elliott, LSU

Mandi Gandi, Louisiana-Lafayette

Madie Jones, LSU

Taylor Reuther, Xavier

Libero: Meghan Mannari, LSU

Second Team

Carolyn Baker, Dillard

Courtni Bauer, McNeese State

Helen Boyle, LSU

Blair Claypoole, Louisiana-Lafayette

Cori Martone, Tulane

Emily Sweet, Northwestern State

Libero: Keelie Arneson, Northwestern State

Honorable Mention

Caitlyn Auxillen, Louisiana-Lafayette

Maria Coelho, Louisiana Tech

Caiti O’Connell, Northwestern State

Lavinia Tataran, Louisiana-Lafayette

LSWA Specialty Awards

Player of the Year: Courtney Donald, Southeastern Louisiana

Libero of the Year: Meghan Mannari, LSU

Freshman of the Year: Caiti O’Connell, Northwestern State

Newcomer of the Year: Carolyn Baker, Dillard

MONROE, La. -- With a week of sales still ahead, the ULM Athletic Department announced Friday that the Warhawks had moved past the 10,000-ticket mark for the 2012 AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl in Shreveport on Friday, Dec. 28.

“The calls and walk-in purchases have been continuous during all of the ticket office’s extended hours,” said Adam Jonson, ULM’s assistant athletic director. “And our online sales are becoming an increasingly popular channel for fans to conveniently make their bowl ticket purchase.”

Tickets are available for purchase through ULM at ulmwarhawks.com, where fans are able to select the desired seat from any of those available for the matchup against Ohio University. Prices begin at $25 in the North endzone (Section 111) and include $37 South endzone tickets (Sections 119 and 221) and $47 sideline tickets (Sections 212 and 218).

All tickets purchased through ULM online or via phone may be picked up from the ULM ticket office during any of its scheduled hours of operation between now and halftime on gameday.

The ULM athletic ticket office will open from 9 a.m. to Noon in Malone Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 22 and on Christmas Eve. Operations will shift to Shreveport beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26. The ticket office will be located on the second floor of Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino and will be open from 2 p.m. to 6 pm. On Dec. 26 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 27. To reach the ticket office by phone in Shreveport (Dec. 26 & 27), please call 318-429-5261 or 318-429-5486. The ticket office is also reachable by email at warhawktickets@ulm.edu.

On gameday, the ULM ticket office will be housed inside the box office to the right of Gate 4 (East side of Independence Stadium). All tickets purchased through ULM may be picked up at this location. The ULM player pass will call will be located on the West side of the stadium between Gates 2 and 3.

Additional information is available at ULM’s “Bowl Central” page on ulmwarhawks.com.Coach of the Year: Hugh & Stephanie Hernesman, Northwestern State

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